MR. ASQUITII'S NEWCASTLE SPEECHES. ITo THE EDITOR or THE "
SPECTATOR."] SIR,—As I organized—in the course of my work for Lord Kitchener—the meeting at Newcastle to which Mr. Asquith Made his celebrated speech on April 20th, 1915, I would ask to be allowed to draw attention to its effects, which most of
the critics ignore. Mr. Asquith's speech had two very Ma
- variant results: (1) To draw the widest attention, by reason of the uproar of criticism which it provoked, to the urgent need for munitions. (2) To precipitate the formation of the Cualition Government. The local effect of Sir. Asquith's speech en his audience of working men was to stimulate their enthusiasm to put forth their best efforts for their country in her hour of need. The effects of the Press versions of the speech and of the comments thereon were as mentioned above. Nobody has yet suggested that there may be a simple explana- tion of Lord Kitchener's assurance to Mr. Asquith that our lighting forces had not been hampered by lack of munitions. Supposing that Lord Kitchener, while taking all possible steps to secure a better output of munitions—in which Mr. Asquith by his speech greatly assisted—desired the Prime Minister of England to mislead the world—including the enemy—as to the real position. If such was his purpose, opinions may vary as to its soundness; but Lord Kitchener's reputation will survive such a mistake--if mistake it was.
Lord Northcliffe apparently came to the, conclusion that it was necessary, in order to attract public attention to the shortage of munitions, to make a violent attack on Lord Kitchener, who was the hope, if not almost the idol, of the ration. The Times also took the responsibility, through the month of its then Military Correspondent, Colonel Repington, of letting out the truth about the shortage of munitions. Once the truth was out the nation as usual did the rest, and Mr. Lloyd George—who had since the outbreak of war been a member of the principal Committee responsible for the pro- duction of munitions—as usual took the credit. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the output of munitions was secured by the people in spite of the vast agglomeration of inefficiency and corruption which the Ministry of Munitions became under Br. Lloyd George's leadership.—I am, Sir, &e.,
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